The Employment & Training Department offers services that include instruction in basic independent living skills, sheltered employment training, and preparation for placement in supportive and/or competitive employment for persons with developmental disabilities. Their various programs assist consumers in achieving their maximum independence level by increasing their earning capacity, self-esteem, and self-sufficiency.

Heuristic Healing, Inc. offers educational programming designed to improve or maintain the ability of the participants to live as independently as possible in the community.

The Chicago Lighthouse's Youth Transition Program provides teens and young adults (ages 15 - 24) with the tools they need for independence. They host a variety of experiences designed for youth who intend to live independently, seek competitive employment, and attend a vocational training program or college upon graduation from high school. They work with each participant to address his or her individual needs and challenges.

Offers information and comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities including: - Screening for benefits programs - Healthcare plan support, information, and advocacy - In-home services - Job skills evaluations - Independent life skills training - Residential education and outreach programs for children with disabilities

Provides information and comprehensive services for people with disabilities including: - Peer support - Independent living skills training - Employment skills training - Advocacy - Assistive technology/adaptive devices - Benefits counseling /Application assistance - Personal assistant (in-home care) referrals Also offers ongoing support services and transitional services, including: - Community Transition Services that helps people transition from nursing homes to their own homes - Pre-employment Transition 30 week program to prepare youth for the work force - Youth Transition Services for youth to develop independent living skills to prepare for adulthood Free Covid tests provided

Provides services to individuals with severe disabilities so they can remain independent in their homes. Offers numerous program options for independence: - Personal Assistant (PA): Provides assistance with household tasks, personal care and, with permission of a doctor, certain health care procedures. PAs are selected, employed, and supervised by individual customers. - Homemaker Services: Personal care provided by trained and professionally supervised personnel for customers who are unable to direct the services of a PA. Instruction and assistance in household management and self-care are also available. - Maintenance Home Health: Services provided through a treatment plan prescribed by a physician or other health care professional. Other services include nursing care and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. - Electronic Home Response: Emergency response system offered by hospitals and community service organizations. This rented signaling device provides 24-hour emergency coverage, permitting the individual to alert trained professionals at hospitals, fire departments, or police departments. - Home Delivered Meals: Provided to individuals who can feed themselves but are unable to prepare food. - Adult Day Care: The direct care and supervision of customers in a community-based setting to promote their social, physical, and emotional well-being. - Assistive Equipment: Devices or equipment either purchased or rented to increase an individual's independence and capability to perform household and personal care tasks at home. - Environmental Modification: Modifications in the home that help compensate for loss of ability, strength, mobility or sensation; increase safety in the home, and decrease dependence on direct assistance from others. - Respite Services: Temporary care for adults and children with disabilities aimed at relieving stress to families. Respite services may be provided for vacation, rest, errands, family crisis or emergency. Services may include personal assistant, homemaker or home health. Also provides specialized services for people with HIV/AIDS and/or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The Community Reintegration Program helps individuals with disabilities who live in nursing homes move into community with the supports they need to live as independently as possible.

Training programs that cover independent daily living skills such as use of electronics (e.g. smartphones, tablets), cooking, cleaning, laundry, using household appliances, managing financial and confidential documents, and independent travel skills.

Work skills through community volunteerism, community utilization, shopping, library, banking, etc. Communication skills, decision making/personal choices, domestic skill training, self care skills and behavioral control.

The Supported Living Program assists people with developmental disabilities in living in their own homes, with supports provided as necessary. Supported Living allows people opportunities for control in their lives. Supports are designed specific to that person, with their preferences and capabilities guiding the process.

Individuals receive training from an Independent Living Specialists including how to arranging living environment, using assistive devices, goal setting, activities to increase independence, cooking, cleaning, and more.

Offers community services such as independent living skills instruction to individuals with an intellectual disability.

Work skills through community volunteerism, community utilization, shopping, library, banking, etc. Communication skills, decision making/personal choices, domestic skill training, self care skills and behavioral control.

Independent Living Skills Training: Individualized training topics include but are not limited to, budgeting and personal finance, cooking, lease and tenant/landlord responsibilities, recreation, computer/internet, reading, training on management of attendant services, pre-employment skills, interpersonal skills, social skills, utilization of other services available and goal setting to achieve increased independence.

Work skills through community volunteerism, community utilization: shopping, library, banking, etc. Communication skills, decision making/personal choices, domestic skill training, self care skills and behavioral control.

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) - Portage Cragin Counseling Center's Journeys Program serves adults that are interested in building life and social skills through individual and group services. This program is staffed by social workers and counselors who work with each individual to personalize their goals, treatment plan, and participation in various group offerings.

Renaissance Social Services provides the Life Skills Training Program, which offers training that teaches and encourages their clients and other members of their community to develop skills that will enhance their quality of life and lead to greater autonomy. Examples include how to budget living expenses, navigate public transportation, shop for a healthy diet, cook, maintain personal cleanliness, and other skills aimed at enhancing an individual's wellbeing and health. Training is provided in group settings for residents of their Housing Stability Program (HSP) or individually according to the need for participants in the Supportive Housing Outreach Team program (SHOT).

Through the Intermittent CILA Program, adults with mild developmental disabilities live independently in a home or apartment, sometimes with one or more roommates. Services provided to these individuals are individualized and staff will provide training and assistance as needed with all aspects of living independently, including cooking and cleaning skills, transportation, assistance with medical needs, making and keeping appointments, grocery shopping, paying bills, and similar activities.

The Chicago Lighthouse Adult Living Skills Program focuses on life skills training for adults who are blind or visually impaired with developmental disabilities. Program participants attend daily activities designed to develop self-sufficiency, increase independence, and help them actively participate in today's society. An individual service plan is developed for each participant to outline short-term and long-term goals.

Aspire - Careers and Living provides housing for older adults and people with disabilities to support an active and independent lifestyle.

Occupational Therapists will complete agency or home visits to provide evaluation and training in daily living skills to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

STEPS (Stabilization, Time, Teaching, Effort, Progress, and Success): Provides independent living skills to clients in socialization, health/wellness, diet and nutrition, advocacy and more.

Training in Independent Living Skills: Training and skills development opportunities provided to persons with disabilities. Individuals learn attendant management, rights of persons with disabilities, money management, community resources, daily living skills and other areas critical to an independent lifestyle.

Provides independent living skills instruction for people with disabilities.

Assists adults with developmental disabilities to help build skills to live independently such as menu planning, laundry, cleaning, budgeting and bill payment strategies, and more.

Consumer Directed Services (CDS) are those services required by a person with a Disability, other than skilled nursing, which enable him or her to live independently in the community by hiring individuals to perform routine tasks of daily living. Typical tasks include getting dressed and undressed, grooming, bathing, bowel and bladder care, meal preparation, eating, and clean-up and household duties.